Scorpions return to finals for the first time in 20 years, but fall 3-1 to major rival with Luis Beltran scoring the solo goal
After competing in two home playoff games last week on Tuesday and Thursday, the Sedona Scorpions boys’ soccer team did not have enough energy left for the biggest match of the season.
Three games in five days were too much for this small group of soccer players from Sedona. Despite their loss, Sedona’s 20-year drought to make the final is over.
This is the first state playoff game for the Sedona boys’ team since 2002; they won the final in 1998.
From the first touch of the ball, the Chino players dominated and came in waves on offense and defense and were getting to the ball first too often. The attacking Chino players came quickly, frequently and used overlapping runs to frustrate the Scorpions.
Revenge was a great motivator for the Cougars, and that was very evident last Saturday. Sedona was the only team to have beaten Chino Valley this season. That victory occurred on Oct. 13, when Sedona won 2-1 at the Chino Valley field.
Sedona was outnumbered with a squad of only 14 players; the Cougars had more than 25 players available. The three Scorpion bench players included one player who was not able to play due to an injury from last week’s playoff game.
Chino scored twice in the first half and once in the second and subbed players frequently. The visiting Scorpions had two available players to sub in. The starting eleven rarely rested during the 80-minute final.
It took the Scorpions until the final 15 minutes to create scoring opportunities but those did not result in quality shots.
The lone Scorpion score was a penalty kick by junior Luis Beltran.
AIA playoff high school brackets currently have boys’ and girls’ teams playing three games in five days. AIA may consider reevaluating the playoff schedule to extend the tournament to three games in 10 days.
The players and coaches appreciated the overwhelming support from their fans; there were well over 200 fans in the seats who traveled from all over the state to cheer on the Scorpions.
On a personal level, as coach and temporary sports reporter, I have had the pleasure of reporting these games from my point of view and have tried to be objective, which has always been a challenge.
These 14 players are an amazing group of young adults, as they have had to maintain their grades, attend practice five days a week and some have part-time jobs; several also attend college.
They are our future, and I was so proud to be their coach during this history-making season. A huge thanks to my assistant coaches, Gabe Horton, Jason Metzer and Manny Montes, who provided incredible support.
Thank you to the families, Sedona students and staff members and our friends who attended home games and supported us at away games.
Sedona beats Show Low 1-0 in semi-final
With a SpaceX rocket flying in the western sky, Sedona fans were treated to a spectacular backdrop for a nail-biter of a soccer game.
The winning Scorpions “blasted” into the final state playoff game with a very physical match against a stubborn Show Low team. The Cougars beat Sedona 3-2 in overtime a month ago. The final opponent for Sedona was Chino Valley, which Sedona beat three weeks ago 2-1 in Chino.
The first goal came in the first two minutes, when the Show Low defender and goalie were not in sync and Carlos Gonzalez took advantage with a strike that was the only score. Some fans missed that goal, as they were either just arriving at the stadium or were watching the Falcon rocket that could be seen ascending.
The game was marred by numerous fouls and several yellow cards for both teams, which set the tone for the entire game. This hard-fought match by both teams was not a surprise to the Sedona players or coaches. Show Low beat the Scorpions 3-2 in overtime on Sept. 24 and that “sting” had not yet faded. That game was played in Show Low and seven yellow cards were issued, five for Show Low and two for Sedona.
Sedona’s victory over Show Low gave the three seniors, Max Metzger, Korbin Burke and Conner Strubbe, one more opportunity to play together at the state final, a game that would be the most memorable match of their high school careers. Memories of this playoff run and their appearance in the final will last these three friends and their other eleven teammates for a lifetime.
